Tag: Alternative Health

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Probiotic’s Relationship to the Brain

Microphone and computer; early warning signs of a thyroid problem.

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Probiotics have been growing in popularity over the last several years, with people touting benefits like helping with depresssion and other emotional disorders, increasing immune health, reducing symptoms of certain digestive conditions, and much more. Although people have different experiences with probiotics, there is a lot of research backing these claims, but the quality of the probiotic and what strains it contains is important and often determines how effective it is. In this week’s show, we’ll discuss probiotic’s relationship to the brain, immune health and gut health, and why having a variety of strains of bacteria in a probiotic is important.

Products Mentioned in This Week’s Show

Probio Ease – This shelf-stable, 50 billion CFU formulation contains a blend of 7 select probiotic species with Sunfiber®, a low-FODMAP certified prebiotic. This formulation provides comprehensive microbiome, immune, and healthy inflammation support in one convenient capsule.†

Target gb-X –  Probiotic supplement specifically designed to support positive mood by influencing the gut-brain axis through the microbiome. It is powered by Ecologic BARRIER, a 5B CFU blend of 9 probiotic strains, that has been clinically shown to decrease overall cognitive reactivity to sad mood, rumination, negative thoughts, and aggressive thoughts.1

Probio Lean – A blend of 7 select probiotic species in a cellulose base. Designed to increase intestinal diversity and support healthy metabolism and weight management, each capsule provides 25 billion CFU.†

You can also listen to Probiotic’s Relationship to the Brain on our YouTube channel here.

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Thyroid – The small gland that makes a BIG difference!

Microphone and computer; exercising consistent health habits.

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Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are conditions that affect the thyroid gland and can mean an underactive or overactive thyroid. The thyroid is a small gland that does a lot; responsible for releasing hormones that are crucial to many important functions like regulation of metabolism, heart rate, breathing, and body temperature. It also effects cholesterol levels, mood, energy, and weight management. Additionally, here are some key differences between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism that we’ll discuss in this episode.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothryoidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormones.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:

  • Persistent fatigue, lethargy, or depression
  • Low motivation to exercise
  • Moodiness, Anxiety
  • Brain fog, trouble concentrating, forgetfulness
  • Intolerance to cold, frequently feeling chilly
  • A hoarse voice
  • Unexplainable weight gain
  • Constipation, bloating and other digestive issues
  • Muscle weakness, aches or pains, other discomforts
  • Dry hair and skin

The most common causes of hypothyroidism include an autoimmune condition like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, radiation therapy, an iodine deficiency, and certain medications.

Hyperthyroidism

Conversely, hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is producing too much of certain thyroid hormones (T4 for example).

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism:

  • Insomnia, sleep troubles
  • Nervousness, symptoms of anxiety
  • Racing heart
  • Eyes that appear large and sometimes bulge
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Muscle weakness
  • Multiple bowel movements
  • High amounts of perspiration
  • Thin, brittle hair

Some common causes of hyperthyroidism include an autoimmune condition like Graves’ Disease, inflammation of the thyroid, and consuming too much iodine.

Products Mentioned on Today’s Show:

Bacopa 320 – This high-strength standardized whole plant Bacopa monnieri extract CDRI 08® is clinically demonstrated to support working memory and retention.

Thyroid Essentials – This formula combines iodine and tyrosine, the two constituents necessary for the synthesis of thyroid secretions.* The minerals selenium, zinc and copper have been added as cofactors needed for normal thyroid function.* Additionally, this formulation has the Ayurvedic herbal extracts from guggul and ashwagandha to complement its nutritional support components.*

You can also listen to our Thyroid – The Small Gland That Makes A BIG Difference episode on our YouTube channel here.

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What Gut Type Are You?

Microphone and computer; exercising consistent health habits.

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Good gut health is so important to your overall health. An imbalance in the gut may contribute to the development of issues like allergies, skin conditions, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and even some autoimmune diseases and certain types of cancer. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help heal your gut and reduce inflammation. Let’s discuss gut health and figure out what gut type you are.

Gut Types

There are specific gut types that create certain environments in your gut. They are as follows:

  • Candida Gut:
  • The bad habit – Ice Cream, Cookies, Cupcakes, etc.
  • Emotional Profile – Worrisome, Anxious, Obsessive.
  • Gastric Gut:
  • The bad habit – Inhaling your food (and large portions of it).
  • Emotional Profile – Fiery, passionate, reactive.
  • Stressed Gut:
  • The bad habit – Overdoing the coffee and booze.
  • Emotional Profile – Type-A workaholics.
  • Immune Gut:
  • The bad habit – Popping antibiotics every time you feel sick.
  • Emotional Profile – Impatient, frequently frustrated, quick to anger.
  • Toxic Gut:
  • The bad habit – Eating processed or fast food.
  • Emotional Profile – Impatient, frequently frustrated, quick to anger.

Try cutting out processed foods and sugars as much as you can, and replace these foods with whole foods like fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, and good fats like coconut oil. Eating a diet rich in natural foods and low in processed foods and keeping your immune system healthy may also help reduce inflammation which may help reduce your risk of developing many different health conditions. There are also many supplements you can take to help heal your gut. Consuming organic bone broth is another great way to help heal the lining of your gut and reduce inflammation. Bone broth also contains amino acids and collagen that can help improve gut health and digestion.

Product Mentioned in Today’s Show:

Stress Response – A comprehensive formula of nutrients and botanicals with demonstrated and unique neuro-supportive effects creates a robust and multifactorial approach to support daily brain health and function.

You can also listen to this podcast on our YouTube channel here.

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How Stress Ages Us

Chronic stress affects many people and can be caused by financial struggles, marital issues, health issues, demanding careers, or a number of other different things. We may think chronic stress just makes us tired and more agitated, but we often don’t consider the effects it can have on our body. Stress can age us and increase our risk of developing certain diseases, but why? Let’s talk about what happens when we’re stressed, and what we can do about it.

Adrenal Glands, Cortisol, and Adrenaline

Being overworked, fighting with your spouse, experiencing financial difficulties, being sleep deprived, having nutritional deficiencies, or dealing with emotional disorders like depression and anxiety can all contribute to stress. When you are stressed, your adrenal glands release cortisol and adrenaline. When adrenaline is released, a person typically experiences an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, and may feel more energy for a short period of time. This can be helpful in a dangerous situation, but a chronic release of adrenaline can damage the heart, and may even contribute to vision and hearing loss due to the effects of prolonged blood vessel constriction.

Cortisol also gets released during times of stress and it can help regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and metabolism, and can help reduce inflammation. However, it needs to be released in the right amounts or it can have some negative effects on your health, as is the case with high or low cortisol. Low cortisol, also called adrenal fatigue, may be due to an underlying health condition, but the most common cause is being stressed for such a long period of time that your adrenal glands essentially “burn out”. The adrenal glands are responsible for producing and releasing certain hormones, and are critical to your health. They also control the “fight-or-flight” response, and release hormones accordingly. However, when we stay in the “fight-or-flight” (stressed out) mode for too long, our adrenal glands get tired, and greatly decrease the amount of cortisol they produce and release. This can lead to depression, food cravings, low blood pressure, irritability, diarrhea, etc.

Conversely, high cortisol usually occurs before adrenal fatigue develops. Being stressed leads to a release of cortisol, and a continual release of cortisol due to chronic stress can cause high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression, irritability, muscle weakness, increased thirst, etc. Keeping your stress levels down can help keep your cortisol levels balanced.

Aging

The ways in which chronic stress age us physically can be complicated, and the research is still ongoing, but there are a few things we know. Stress can damage DNA and lead to an increased risk of developing conditions like heart disease, Parkinson’s, and cancer. Vision and hearing may also be affected by stress due to the prolonged release of adernaline as discussed above. Adrenaline causes blood vessels to constrict, potentially reducing the blood flow to the eyes and ears.

Stress can also speed up the aging process in some indirect ways. When a person experiences stress they are more likey to crave unhealthy foods and alcohol, less likely to engage in exercise, and may find it more difficult to get enough quality sleep each night. Each of these things can speed up the aging process, contribute to a lower quality-of-life, and increase a person’s risk of developing certain conditions.

Reducing Stress

There are a few things you can do that may help reduce stress. Meditation, taking a relaxing bath, taking a walk, spending time with loved ones, taking a nap, or finding a calming hobby can all help reduce stress. If your stress is work-related, try to keep your workspace organized and know what needs to be done each day. If you are dealing with financial struggles, try creating a budget plan. Simply reminding yourself that something isn’t worth being stressed out over may also help.

Chronic stress is a problem affecting millions of people, and it can have lasting impacts on physical and mental health. Eating a balanced diet high in organic fruits and vegetables, and gettting at least seven hours of quality sleep every night can help provide the nutrients and energy you need to face the day, and can help increase your body’s ability to handle stress. It is so important to reduce stress whenever possible, so find time to take care of yourself every day.

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Tachycardia

Tachycardia generally refers to a resting heart rate that is higher than one-hundred beats per minute. Some potential reasons for an elevated heart rate are stress, anxiety, physical exertion through exercise or a physically demanding task, anemia, anger, certain medications, heart damage, congenital heart problems, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, and some other medical conditions. Heart conditions are more common now than ever, and tachycardia is one of many. Let’s take a look at some reasons for an elevated heart rate, and what we can do about them.

Stress, Anxiety, and Anger

Your emotional state can affect your body in many different ways. One of the most common parts of your body that is affected by strong emotions is your heart. Stress, anxiety, and anger can increase cortisol levels and trigger a release of adrenaline. This release of hormones can lead to an elevated heart rate, faster breathing, feeling of a tight chest, and some research suggests that these strong emotions may also contribute to inflammation. This can be particularly damaging when someone experiences these emotions every day. Many people are experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, and/or anger due to things like a demanding career, an unhappy marriage, family issues, financial struggles, etc. This prolonged release of cortisol and other hormones can wreak havoc on the body, decrease adrenal gland function, and may increase a person’s risk of heart disease, stroke, and other medical conditions. However, if a person notices a high resting heart rate and is not experiencing stress, anxiety, or anger, other causes should be considered.

Medical Conditions and Medications

Some medical conditions can cause an elevated heart rate, even at rest. Anemia is a medical condition in which iron levels are too low, which decreases the amount of red blood cells, leading to lower oxygen levels in the blood. This can cause an elevated heart rate because your heart is trying to compensate for the low blood oxygen by pumping blood throughout the body faster. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, which can also lead to an elevated heart rate. There are many other conditions that can cause an elevated heart rate, so it’s best to check with your doctor if you have an elevated resting heart rate to rule out any medical conditions. Certain medications can also cause an increase in heart rate, so you should be familiar with the potential side effects of any medications you are taking.

Heart Healthy Habits

The health of your heart largely depends on your diet and lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet, engaging in light exercise, staying hydrated, practicing stress-reducing techniques, and taking supplements formulated to support heart health can all go a long way in keeping your heart healthy. Processed foods should be avoided as much as possible, and your diet should consist mainly of organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed and free-range meats, and high-quality fats like those found in coconut oil and olive oil. You should also do your best to drink around 64 ounces of clean, filtered water every day.

Some supplements that may help improve heart health include:

  • Orthomega – High-quality fish oil supplement providing EPA and DHA.
  • Bergamot BPF – Contains bergamot orange extract, which may help balance cholesterol levels and improve liver function.
  • Methyl CPG – Contains a high-dose of vitamin B12, and is designed to help decrease homocysteine levels in the body.

Taking care of your heart is so important, and we’re here to help you learn how!

You can listen to our Heart Health podcast here.

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SIBO Explained

Digestive disorders have become more and more common in the last few years. Diagnoses of conditions like IBS, Crohn’s disease, colitis, leaky gut syndrome, Celiac disease, and many others are increasing every year, but experts aren’t sure why. It could be due to a number of things such as increased environmental toxins, poor diet, low fiber, imbalance of good and bad bacteria, and possibly SIBO. Many doctors are beginning to look at SIBO as a possible root cause of many of these conditions, but what is it and why does it happen?

What and Why

SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and it occurs when bacteria begins to multiply in the small intestine. Our gut is home to trillions of bacteria of many different strains, with some being bad and some being good. An imbalance of good and bad bacteria is believed to contribute to many different health conditions, but SIBO isn’t always due to this. Most of the bacteria in the gut resides in the large intestine, but bacteria can make its way into the small intestine and cause problems. Even bacteria that is usually considered good can cause problems when it’s in the wrong place, as is the case with SIBO. Bacteria that should not be in the small intestine can find a way in and multiply.

So, bacteria can get into the small intestine and cause problems, but how did it manage to get there in the first place? There are a couple of potential reasons for this including low stomach acid, and a sluggish intestinal tract. Many people take medications like antacids that decrease stomach acid, and while some people may actually have too much stomach acid, many more people don’t have enough. Low stomach acid can cause a number of different problems like heartburn, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and overall poor digestion. When food is not digested properly it may move into the small intestine without being fully broken down, providing a great meal for any bacteria that shouldn’t be there. When the bacteria have an abundant food source, they can continue to multiply and worsen your symptoms.

A sluggish, poorly functioning intestinal tract may also contribute to the development of SIBO and other conditions. A sluggish intestinal tract has many potential causes including dehydration, not eating enough fiber, poor diet, certain illnesses like food poisoning, damage from past surgeries, and certain health conditions like hypothyroidism. When partially digested food moves through the intestines it typically contains bacteria from your stomach, and it may also attract bacteria that is in your intestinal tract. When this partially digested food and bacteria move too slowly through the intestines, as is the case with constipation (having less than 1-2 bowel movements per day), the bacteria can migrate to other parts of the intestines where it shouldn’t be, and begin to multiply.

Possible Symptoms of SIBO

SIBO can cause a number of different symptoms, including:

  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Constipation
  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Nausea
  • Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Belching
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Food Allerges/Intolerances

Many other digestive disorders share these same symptoms, and a person may have been experiencing these symptoms for many years without realizing SIBO could be the cause. Doctors often diagnose this as IBS or other conditions, when it may have been SIBO the whole time.

IBS and Leaky Gut Connection

IBS and leaky gut syndrome are two of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, but they may be caused by SIBO in many cases. It is estimated that over 75% of IBS cases are caused by SIBO. IBS generally refers to a collection of symptoms (like gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, food allergies/intolerances, etc.) rather than an actual disorder. IBS is often what doctors will “diagnose” you with if they haven’t found a specific reason for your symptoms. Over-the-counter medications for gas, diarrhea, or constipation may be suggested, but this doesn’t deal with the root cause. Almost all of the symptoms of IBS mentioned above are also symptoms of SIBO as listed earlier in this article.

Leaky gut syndrome, also sometimes referred to as intestinal permeability, is a condition is which the lining of the intestines becomes damaged. Tiny holes can form in the intestinal lining allowing food particles, toxins, and other substances to leak out into the bloodstream. The body recognizes these food particles and other substances as foreign invaders, and mounts an immune response against them. This is also how leaky gut syndrome can lead to food allergies/sensitivities because the body begins to recognize certain foods as foreign invaders, and the immune response can present itself as an allergic reaction. Inflammation is part of the immune response, and as we’ve discussed in other articles, chronic inflammation is believed to be a large contributing factor in the development of certain autoimmune diseases, cancers, and other serious health conditions. When someone has SIBO, the bacteria that have moved into the small intestine can damage the lining of the intestine, leading to intestinal permeability (leaky gut), which can lead to a host of other issues. Leaky gut symptoms can include headaches, constipation, food allergies/intolerances, gas, bloating, fatigue, brain fog, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and many others. Unsurprisingly, SIBO and leaky gut syndrome share many of the same symptoms.

Role of Diet

Diet may also play an important role in the development, treatment, and prevention of SIBO. A diet high in sugar and simple carbohydrates like bread and pasta may provide a food source for bad pathogens in the gut like candida. While experts aren’t sure if SIBO or candida overgrowth occurs first, or if they are directly related, increasing the bad bacteria in your gut is not a good thing. Drinking enough water and eating enough fiber to help keep your bowels moving may help reduce your risk of developing SIBO and other conditions. Certain diets like the SCD (specific carbohydrate diet) have helped provide relief for some people suffering from SIBO.

Possible Treatment

SIBO is a complicated condition to treat, but it is not impossible. It often takes a lot of trial and error to find the treatment that works best for you. For many people with SIBO, it often takes a combination of supplements, diets like SCD or GAPS, intermittent fasting, and other measures to get the best results. Some supplements that may help with some of the conditions mentioned in this article include Candicid Forte, Intestin-ol, and Lauricidin. Candicid Forte and Intestin-ol may help reduce candida overgrowth, and Lauricidin has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic qualities, and may also help reduce candida overgrowth.

Regardless of whether or not you have any of the symptoms of the conditions discussed throughout this article, we recommend that you drink around 64 ounces of clean, filtered water each day, eat a diet low in grains, sugar, and processed foods, eat plenty of organic produce and healthy fats like coconut oil and olive oil, and eat high-quality meats. Digestive issues can have a serious impact on your everyday life, as well as potentially increasing your risk of developing more serious conditions later in life, so do what you can to help protect your gut!

Listen to our Is It SIBO or IBS? podcast here.

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Causes of Joint Pain

Joint pain affects people of all ages, and it can be caused by several different things. An injury, certain infections and diseases, dehydration, and inflammation can all cause acute or chronic joint pain. Some of these things can be prevented through a proper diet, certain supplements, and light exercise, but what do you do if the pain has already started? Fortunately, there are some things that may help provide some relief, but we need to determine the cause first. Let’s take a look at the potential causes.

Inflammation

Inflammation is more dangerous than many people think, and some experts believe it may play a large role in the development of most chronic diseases. Inflammation typically occurs when the body experiences some form of damage, or recognizes a foreign invader like bacteria. Toxins, dehydration, infections, nutritional deficiencies, and injuries all damage the body, leading to inflammation. When a joint becomes inflamed, it can cause pain, swelling, and redness. The inflammation could also be caused by a disease that affects the joints like arthritis, lyme disease, or lupus, or it may be due to toxins in the body, a lack of collagen, a vitamin or mineral deficiency, or dehydration.

Dehydration

Sometimes the cause of your pain is something simple, and dehydration is often overlooked. One survey found that about seventy-five percent of Americans are chronically deydrated. Chronic dehydration can cause a number of problems, and may contribute to some more serious health conditions. Chronic dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, dry/flaky skin, constipation, muscle aches, and joint pain. It may also contribute to the development of dementia, gastrointestinal issues, kidney stones, high blood pressure, and UTI’s. Excessive consumption of coffee and tea can also contribute to dehydration. You should be drinking about half a gallon of water a day, or more if you sweat frequently. Consuming enough electrolytes like sodium (salt), potassium, and magnesium is also important.

Types of Arthritis

There are different types of arthritis that have different causes. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in a joint begins to break down, which typically occurs after the age of forty or fifty, but may occur in younger people who have frequently damaged their joints. Obesity, physically-demanding careers or sports, hormonal imbalances, genes, and other factors can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is another common form of arthritis. RA is an autoimmune condition, and it occurs when the immune system begins attacking the lining of joints in the body,usually beginning in the hands and feet. It is unclear what causes RA to begin, but it may be due to chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, genetic risk factors, and other things that may contribute to the formation of most autoimmune diseases.

One other common type of arthritis is gout, also called gouty arthritis. Gout occurs when there is too much uric acid in the blood, and it begins to form painful crystals in the joints. Uric acid levels can get too high if the kidneys are not eliminating it quickly enough. Diabetes, alcohol consumption, poor kidney function, and consumption of certain foods may increase uric acid levels in the blood.

Reducing Joint Pain

There are some things you can do to help reduce joint pain, depending on what is causing it. The first thing you should do is to make sure you are drinking enough water every day. Chronic dehydration affects many people, but few realize it. You should be drinking about half a gallon of water a day, and possibly more if you sweat a lot during the day. You should also avoid inflammatory foods and drinks as much as possible. This includes soda, processed foods, processed meats like bacon and sausages, bad fats such as vegetable oil and margarine, conventional dairy products, fast food, breads, and pasta. Alcohol consumption should also be limited. Many of these can also contribute to a gout flare-up, so it is even more important to avoid these foods and drinks as much as possible if you struggle with gout.

There are also some supplements that may help reduce joint pain in certain situations. These include:

  • Traumeric – May help reduce inflammation in the body and joints.
  • CollaGEN – Helps to increase collagen levels in the body, possibly decreasing joint pain.
  • Reacted Multimin – Helps ensure you are getting enough minerals in each day.
  • Chondro-Flx – Contains ingredients designed to help support joint health and mobility, and may also help reduce joint inflammation.

Eating a healthy, varied diet, drinking plenty of filtered water, and taking supplements that support joint health may help reduce joint pain and inflammation. Getting into these habits early in life may also help reduce your risk of developing certain conditions that affect the joints. Joint pain isn’t always something you have to deal with for the rest of your life. We’ll do everything we can to help you feel better!

Listen to our Joint Pain or Arthritis podcast here.

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Antinutrients and Nightshades

Antinutrients are compounds mostly found in foods and drinks that interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients like certain vitamins and minerals. Legumes, grains, and nuts and seeds often have the highest concentration of antinutrients, but they can also be found in certain herbs, spices, and fruits and vegetables. There are many different types of antinutrients, but we are going to take a look at two of the most commonly discussed antinutrients: lectins and oxalates. Nightshades are a particularly common source of both lectins and oxalates, and many people eat at least one type of nightshade a day, but let’s take a look at the risks and benefits before you decide to cut them out of your diet.

Nightshades

Nightshades are a class of plants that includes many different types of flowers (including tobacco), trees, fruits, and vegetables. Foods like potatoes, tomatoes, chili powder, jalapenos and most other peppers (does not include black pepper), okra, some herbs like ashwagandha, and many other foods and spices are all part of the nightshade family. For many people, nightshades do not cause any issues, but for some they can act as an immune trigger. This is why most autoimmune protocols require you to eliminate all nightshades from your diet.

Symptoms of a sensitivity to nightshades can include gut issues like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), muscle aches, joint pain, increased mucus production, and acid reflux/heartburn. Many food sensitivities exhibit these same symptoms, so it can be difficult to determine if nightshades are the culprit. However, if you have these symptoms and have tried eliminating other food groups and haven’t seen an improvement in your symptoms, then it may be worth a try. If you choose to eliminate these foods, you should find a complete list of nightshade foods and herbs and eliminate them completely for at least one month, including those found in medications and supplements. You should also substitute the foods you eliminate with equally nutritious foods like celery, sweet potatoes, oranges, cauliflower, melons, etc. After one month has passed, you can begin to add nightshades back in, one at a time, and see if you experience any reactions.

Lectins

Lectins are a type of antinutrient most commonly found in peanuts, beans, lentils, eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, tomatoes, and grains like wheat, corn, and quinoa, among others. Lectins can cause bloating, gas, and indigestion, and they can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients. They are also difficult to digest, and can “cling” to the intestinal wall. This is especially harmful if leaky gut is already present, which is the case for many people. The lectins are often able to pass through the damaged intestinal wall and get into the bloodstream. When this happens, the body recognizes the lectins as invaders, and mounts an immune response to fight them. The body may also begin producing antibodies made specifically for lectins. As we have discussed before, chronic immune responses and the subsequent inflammation is believed to be the main cause of many autoimmune diseases and certain types of cancer, so if you eat foods high in lectins daily like most people, you may have ongoing inflammation that could lead to more problems in the future.

Oxalates

Oxalates are another type of antinutrient that can be found in millet, spinach and other leafy green vegetables, chocolate, sweet potatoes, black tea, coffee, and many other foods and drinks. Oxalates tend to bind to calcium, preventing it from completely being absorbed, which can also lead to kidney stones. The most common type of kidney stones are calcium oxalate stones, which can occur when oxalates bind with calcium in the bloodstream and build up in the kidneys. A high-oxalate diet may also lead to increased inflammation, joint pain, and possibly decreased glutathione function. Glutathione is often called the “master antioxidant” due to its wide-range of detoxifying abilities, and is crucial to your health.

Our liver produces small amounts of oxalates, and there is some evidence that oxalates may have some benefits like helping to carry toxins out of the body, but this is not yet fully understood. Although it is impossible to completely eliminate oxalates from your diet because they are present in almost all plant-based foods, a low-oxalate diet may be especially beneficial for people who have had kidney stones.

It may feel like you can’t eat anything, but this isn’t true. The key is moderation, and you can enjoy foods that contain antinutrients (virtually all foods contain some), but they should be enjoyed in moderation and with plenty of variety. Taking digestive enzymes may also help your body break down and absorb nutrients more effectively, and GI Support may help decrease intestinal permeability which is a leading cause of allergies and other health issues. It is still important to eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, but try to limit the amount of raw vegetables you eat because they may be more difficult to digest and can contain more antinutrients than cooked versions. Also, remember to eat plenty of good fats, eliminate processed foods from your diet, and drink plenty of filtered water. Every little change helps!

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Oxalates, Lectins and Nightshades…Oh, My!

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An oxalate are chemical compounds found in many green vegetables and other “healthy” foods. Your body produces them as waste products as well.

Glutathione is your body’s master antioxidant and detoxifier. It is vital for metabolizing the toxins.

Some examples of the damage that can be done by glutathione deficiency include:

  • Inability to repair DNA
  • Toxin and heavy metal accumulation
  • Greatly reduced ability to detoxify
  • Reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to cells

Lack of glutathione and too many oxalates can create the following symptoms:

  • Kidney Stones
  • Burning Urination
  • Interstitial Cystitis
  • Chronic Candida
  • COPD/Asthma
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Hormonal Balance
  • Child Developmental Disorders, including Autism

Products mentioned in today’s show:

GlutaShield – The ingredients in GlutaShield help regenerate and maintain GI enterocytes while supporting the health of the intestinal mucosal barrier.

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Oh No, Not the Flu!

Flu season is finally upon us, and we know no one wants to get the flu, especially after last year’s rough season, but how do we protect ourselves? Fortifying your immune system is one of the best ways to help prevent the flu and other sicknesses, and it can help make it easier for your body to fight off anything it does come into contact with. There are many ways to naturally increase your immune system, and we’ll cover a few of them in this article.

Vitamins

One of the most common things people think of when it comes to preventing and treating cold and flu viruses is vitamin C. Vitamin C is a great choice and it does help increase immunity. However, there are many other vitamins and herbs that can also boost your immune system. Vitamin B6 is a great vitamin to add into your immune-boosting routine, along with vitamin E. Vitamin B6 helps support the immune system, and a B6 deficiency can even cause your body to produce less antibodies which can lead to decreased immunity. Vitamin E is a very powerful antioxidant that helps fight off free radicals and prevent them from causing damage, and it also boosts your immune system, making it easier for your body to protect itself.

Herbs

Some herbs and spices that are good for boosting immune system include astragalus, olive leaf, cinnamon, garlic, and turmeric, among many others. Astragalus can help support the immune system while also increasing your body’s ability to deal with stress. Olive leaf contains antioxidants that protect your body, plus it can help boost heart health. Garlic is another tasty spice/food that is an anti-inflammatory, an immune system booster, and might even shorten colds. Last but certainly not least, turmeric can help fight inflammation, and it can help protect the liver and other organs from toxins.

Probiotics

Around seventy percent of your immune system resides in the gut, so if your gut is not functioning properly, or if you have an imbalance of good and bad bacteria (which is a very common issue) then your immune system likely isn’t functioning at optimal levels. Adding back in the good bacteria helps crowd out the bad bacteria, leading to enhanced digestion, less constipation and bloating, and increased immunity. Eating fermented foods like kimchi can help replace some of that bacteria, but the easiest and most effective solution is taking a probiotic. Supplementing with probiotics can also help ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety because many of our mood hormones are produced in the gut. You’ll be amazed at how much probiotics can improve your overall health.

Recommended Products for Immune Health:

  • Liposomal C – liquid vitamin C supplement with high absorption rate
  • Stress B-Complex – contains several B vitamins, including B6
  • Vitamin E Mixed Tocopherols – contains vitamin E
  • Olive Leaf Extract – contains olive leaf extract, mentioned earlier
  • Garlic 5000 – contains garlic
  • Traumeric – contains turmeric root extract along with other antioxidants
  • Innate Flora 50-14 – probiotic containing 14 different strains of bacteria, and 50 billion total bacteria

Viracid

Our top recommendation for immune system support is Viracid.

Viracid contains vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), zinc, astragalus, European elder berry extract, echinacea extract, and a few other natural ingredients. Each of these herbs and vitamins can help provide immune support when taken by themselves, but taken together in a supplement like Viracid, the immune-boosting effect can be much greater. Research supports the claims that these herbs and vitamins boost immunity, and we’ve had many customers report that they took Viracid while everyone around them was getting the flu and colds, but they never caught anything.

Eating a variety of organic fruits and vegetables, and eating plenty of good fats and proteins also improves your immune system, along with your digestive system, hormones, mood, and almost every part of your body. What you eat fuels your body, so make sure it’s good, natural food.